Labour should ignore Lord Kinnock and steer well clear of a wealth tax
As Labour has already hammered the wealthy in so many areas – from VAT on private school fees to the abolition of non-dom status – such a tax would be the final nail in the coffin.
It's often suggested that this Government is relatively centrist. With the introduction of a wealth tax, however, it would start to be perceived as a hard-Left administration.
Labour would be wise to ignore a former leader who never knew what success was at a general election.
Henry Bateson
Whittingham, Northumberland
SIR – Lord Kinnock, who previously supported Labour's mansion tax proposals, now wants to see a wealth tax. He has enjoyed a taxpayer-funded salary and pension for decades. He knows nothing of wealth creation.
David Miller
Chigwell, Essex
SIR – The Labour Left's desire to clobber those it deems wealthy will bring negative consequences for growth, businesses and jobs.
Wealth taxes haven't worked elsewhere, serving simply to scare away entrepreneurs and investors.
Moreover, imagine the level of bureaucracy and intrusion involved in calculating the value of an individual's assets. Presumably Labour will have HMRC assessing every piece of jewellery, family silver, art and furniture.
Mike Hughes
London SW10
SIR – The wealthy might be more willing to pay such taxes if they felt confident that their contributions were not being used unwisely.
Pamela Wheeler
Shrewsbury
SIR – Wealth taxes are politically easy: 'the rich' have always been a convenient enemy. However, what those who wish to squeeze this group don't realise is that its definition will change quickly.
Wealth tax advocates say they 'only' want a tax of 2 per cent on assets over £10 million, but this 'modest' levy is just the thin end of the wedge. When it doesn't raise enough money (and it never will, because government spending is unlimited and statist politicians always want to spend more) it will become 20 per cent on assets over £5 million – and so on.
People tend to assume that wealth is only something that happens to others. You might not consider yourself rich, but no one ever does. The decision will not be yours to make.
Robert Frazer
Salford, Lancashire
SIR – If the Government chases all the 'givers' away, we shall be left only with 'takers' – who will have nobody to take from.
Barbara Jackson
Epping, Essex
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
42 minutes ago
- The Independent
Talks to finalise US steel tariff exemption ongoing as deadline due to pass
Government talks to finalise the deal to spare the UK from US steel tariffs are ongoing, Downing Street has said, as the deadline for the levies to come into force is due to pass and the steel industry called for a 'swift' resolution. President Donald Trump has said he plans to start implementing tariffs on the US's trade partners on July 9. The UK has already managed to negotiate a deal with the US which eliminates the threat of tariffs for British car and aeroplane manufacturers. But a reprieve for the steel industry is yet to be finalised, leaving open the threat that the current 25% tariff rate could rise to 50% after the deadline. Mr Trump is reportedly stepping up pressure on countries who could soon be subject to the tariffs, urging them to negotiate trade deals with the US. But amid signs of confusion within the US administration, trade secretary Howard Lutnick has suggested America's trade partners will see the levies begin on August 9, after receiving a letter outlining them on July 9. Mr Trump told his cabinet that negotiating trade deals was 'too time-consuming' so he was sending out letters to countries detailing tariff rates. In a post on Truth Social on Tuesday night, he said letters to 'a minimum of 7 Countries' would be released on Wednesday morning with more in the afternoon, although he gave no indication of which countries would be receiving the letters. Gareth Stace, director general at industry body UK Steel, said: 'A swift and positive resolution is needed to safeguard jobs, unlock growth, and restore confidence in the UK steel sector.' Downing Street said on Tuesday that discussions are ongoing between UK and US officials to secure 0% tariffs on core steel imports to the US. A Number 10 spokesman said: 'As we've said before, this is something that we continue to discuss with the US, just as we did with aero and auto, and those discussions will continue.' Asked if the Government understands the frustration of British steel workers, he said they want to see the deal in force 'as soon as possible'. The spokesman added: 'We obviously want to see this deal in force as soon as possible. That remains our priority. 'But as we've said before and set out, the Government remains relentlessly focused on making sure British businesses can feel the benefits of the deal as soon as possible.'
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Disgruntled ex-employee's fury after boss sends him an outrageous text request
A fired employee has sparked a humorous debate after exposing a shameless request from his former boss. The text message seemed genuine and polite, however it has transpired that this particular manager was asking the man to come back and train his own replacement just days after being let go. In a now-viral TikTok video, British career expert Ben Askins shared the shocking text message exchange that left thousands of viewers gobsmacked, with many dubbing the boss's request 'delusional' and 'ridiculous.' The clip, which has amassed more than 175,000 views, shows the boss pleading with the sacked staffer to return and train the new hire on the company's ticketing system. Outrageously, he was offering nothing more than a coffee in exchange. 'This boss was really pushing his luck!' Ben captioned the video. 'Situations like this can be easily avoided,' after he too seemed shocked by the lack of regard the boss had for the ex-worker. 'Hey, I know this probably isn't the best time to ask, but we're struggling with the new ticketing process. Is there any chance you could come in and run the new guy through it?' the employer messaged over text. To which the disgruntled ex-employee clapped back: 'Are you having a laugh? You fired me last week?' Lacking any regard for their feelings the employee replied: 'I know, but I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important. It shouldn't take you long. I know this is awkward, I promise you will get a coffee for the favour.' In the video, Ben chimed in adding his own opinion on the matter, joking that a mere coffee for his time was 'quite alright, then,' as he laughed. Surprisingly, the ex-employee replied with an olive branch to help, but felt remuneration was only fair for his time: 'I will do it. But I want it to be a remote tutorial, and I will charge you for half a day.' 'Remote is fine, but half a day's pay? This will only take a few minutes?' the employer replied, clearly surprised at the request. 'That is the deal.' Begrudgingly his terms were met, but not without a small dig at his audaciousness of actually being remunerated for his time and effort: 'Fine, but I am disappointed this is the way you are playing this,' the boss replied. Ben, who frequently posts career advice and work-related scenarios, was stunned by the entitlement on display. 'Firstly, let's be very clear,' he said. He does not have to do this favour. So the fact that he's charging is completely okay. 'He's giving up his time. He really doesn't have to do it, so the idea that this boss doesn't think he should pay is absolutely ridiculous.' He continued by saying that the text exchanges was 'a good example of why companies need proper training guides and onboarding processes - so you don't end up in situations like this.' Hundreds of Ben's viewers weighed in on the text exchange too, and they didn't hold back. The comments under the video lit up with support for the ex-employee, with many saying he should've asked for far more than just half a day's pay. 'Half a day? I'd charge them my consultancy fee and it would be astronomical,' one user wrote. 'I wouldn't even answer the message,' said another. 'At this point he's not under contract, he's a consultant. He can charge what he wants.' 'I'd reply two words and the second word would be 'off,' joked one. 'Half a days pay? He doesn't work there no more so his days pay is zero and half of 0 is 0.' While some users said they would've hung up or blocked the boss altogether, others applauded the ex-employee's cool-headed professionalism, particularly for negotiating remote work and payment. The viral saga has become a cautionary tale for workers everywhere, especially in industries where employees are often expected to go above and beyond, even after being let go, it seems.
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
King speaks of UK and France's deepening co-operation amid ‘profound challenges'
In a speech marking President Emmanuel Macron's three-day state visit to the UK, Charles highlighted a summit between Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the French leader when commentators expect the issue of small boats to be top of the agenda. The King also spoke of the growing environmental threat where the 'very future of our planet hangs in the balance' and the UK and France have a 'critical role to play'. Charles's comments were made at a Windsor Castle state banquet where Sir Mick Jagger and fiancee Melanie Hamrick were among the guests alongside Sir Elton John and husband David Furnish and actress Dame Kristin Scott Thomas. The King told the guests, who included the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Prime Minister and senior members of the Cabinet: 'Monsieur le President, the summit that you and the Prime Minister will hold in London this week will deepen our alliance and broaden our partnership still further. 'Our armed forces will co-operate even more closely across the world, including to support Ukraine, as we join together in leading a Coalition of the Willing in defence of liberty and freedom from oppression; in other words, in defence of our shared values.' He went on to say: 'Our security services and police will go further still to protect us against the profound challenges of terrorism, organised crime, cyber attacks and of course irregular migration across the English Channel. 'And our businesses will innovate together, generating growth, trade and investment for our economies and across the world.' Earlier in a speech to MPs and peers, Mr Macron promised to deliver on measures to cut the number of migrants crossing the English Channel, describing the issue as a 'burden' to both countries. He told the gathering in Parliament: 'France and the UK have a shared responsibility to address irregular migration with humanity, solidarity and fairness.' Decisions at Thursday's UK-France summit will 'respond to our aims for co-operation and tangible results on these major issues'. In his speech Charles described the UK's closest continental neighbour as 'one of our strongest allies' and said in the face of 'complex threats' France and Britain 'must help to lead the way'. There were lighter moments, with the King joking about the popular French cartoon character Asterix the Gaul's incomprehension about Britons' love of tea with a splash of milk, and how dinner guests had drunk 'English sparkling wine made by a French Champagne house'. And he described the 'perfect combinations' of French and British – Monet's paintings of London fog and Thierry Henry, a former French striker with London football club Arsenal, scoring at Highbury. The French president even winked at the King when Charles mentioned the cultural ties between the UK and France and how a Frenchman, William the Conqueror, began building Windsor Castle more than 900 years ago and his son William has made Windsor his home. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence were also among the guests, as were former England goalkeeper Mary Earps, who now plays for Paris Saint-Germain, authors Joanne Harris and Sebastian Faulks and sculptor Sir Antony Gormley. Mr Macron also delivered a speech mostly in French but in English he spoke about France's loan of the Bayeux Tapestry which will go on display at the British Museum next year. He said: 'For the first time in 900 years the Bayeux Tapestry will follow the same path as the warriors whose stories it tells and land on British soil. 'Either they were never made or they were lost – those final scenes of the tapestry are missing. 'I see that as (an) even more powerful symbol in the great mural of Franco-British history, the end has yet to be written.'
